Voting starts in Tunisian presidential election

Tunisians began casting votes in an unpredictable presidential election on Sunday, where there is no overwhelming front-runner, with the young democracy’s economic ills dominating the agenda.

Polling stations opened at 8.00 a.m. (0700 GMT) from the capital Tunis on the Mediterranean coastline to the cork forests of the northwest, the mining towns of the interior and sand-swept Saharan villages in the south.

Tunisia threw off autocratic rule eight years ago in a revolution that inspired “Arab Spring” revolts in Egypt, Yemen, Bahrain, Libya and Syria, but it alone has enjoyed a smooth, peaceful transition to democracy.

While foreign attention, especially in Arab countries, is focused on the moderate Islamist Ennahda party, many Tunisians are watching the fate of media mogul Nabil Karoui, running from behind bars on suspicion of money laundering and tax evasion, which he denies.

A court on Friday ruled he must stay behind bars after his arrest last month, leading his supporters to claim he has been silenced.

Prime Minister Youssef Chahed, as well as two former prime ministers, a former president and the defence minister are also among the 26 candidates hoping to win outright or, if none of them win more than 50 per cent, to advance to a second round run-off.

Tunisia’s president has direct control over foreign and defence policy while most other portfolios are handled by a prime minister chosen by parliament.

Tunisia admires China’s achievements and China‘s speed, Saied said, expressing his confidence that cooperation between the two countries is promising, and that bilateral relations will become a model of international relations with the joint efforts of both sides.

He said that in recent years, with the care of the leaders of the two countries, bilateral cooperation has continuously achieved new results and there is a window of opportunity for its further development.

China will continue to work actively to deepen the friendly cooperation between the two countries on the basis of mutual respect and mutual benefits, the ambassador said.

Fakhfakh stressed that the next period “dictates supporting companies to deal with the repercussions of the COVID-19 crisis, preserving jobs, developing the pace of growth, strengthening companies’ capacities and seizing opportunities laid down by economic changes at regional and international levels.”

“The plan must be based on practical and achievable solutions to reach a phase of real reforms that have been blocked for years,” TAP quoted Fakhfakh as saying.

For his part, UTICA President Samir Majoul said the union presented its vision of the current economic and social situation and the possible mechanisms to assist companies in order to address the crisis.

Earlier during the day, Tunisian minister in charge of major national projects Lobna Jribi announced the main lines of the third phase of the national strategy for partially lifting the coronavirus lockdown, which will start on Thursday.

She announced that mosques, all worship places, hotels and restaurants will reopen on June 4.

Travel between all Tunisian governorates will resume without authorization, said Jribi.

Tunisian nationals abroad will be repatriated from June 4 to June 14, “and priority will be given to students and residents who have lost their jobs.”

Tunisian PM says gov’t committed to push forward reforms

Tunisian Prime Minister Elyes Fakhfakh affirmed Wednesday that the government is determined to move forward on the path of major reforms, in particular the digitization of public administration.

Fakhfakh made the remarks at a ceremony held at the headquarters of the government in capital Tunis on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr, also stressing the importance of “preparing well for the post–coronavirus phase.”

He praised the efforts of all in the fight against COVID-19pandemic and in ensuring the proper functioning of public services under general confinement and partial lifting of lockdown.

Tunisian PM vows to exit COVID-19 outbreak with slightest damage

Tunisian Prime Minister Elyes Fakhfakh said on Sunday that his country is preparing to exit the stage of COVID-19 outbreak with the slightest damage.

The official TAP news agency quoted the prime minister as saying that “Tunisia, which has succeeded in controlling COVID-19, is about to exit from the outbreak stage with the slightest damage after registering more than 1,000 cases and most them have recovered.”

He also stressed the continuation of the national effort to fight against COVID-19 during the summer period.

“Our country has succeeded in confronting the COVID-19pandemic,” said Fakhfakh in a speech broadcast on the state television Wataniya.

The prime minister called upon all Tunisians to preserve the gains attained during the first phase of partial lifting of lockdown and to respect all measures taken by the government to combat COVID-19.

On May 4, Tunisia started the first stage of the national strategy for partial lifting of lockdown which includes three stages, from May 4 to 24, from May 24 to June 4 and from June 4 to 14.

On Tuesday, one new COVID-19 case and one more death were reported in Tunisia, bringing the total number of cases to 1,044 with 47 deaths.

The number of recoveries rose to 826, according to the Ministry of Health.

Tunisian government imposes curfew to curb spread of COVID-19

Few people are seen in the center of Tunis, Tunisia on May 19, 2020. Tunisian government imposes curfew to curb the spread of COVID-19 and called people to stay home and reduce gathering before the upcoming Eid al-Fitr, or the festival of breaking the fast. (Photo by Adel Ezzine/Xinhua)

Tunisian minister warns against 2nd wave of coronavirus outbreak

Tunisian Health Minister Abdellatif Mekki warned on Wednesday that her country is “not immune to a second wave of the novel coronavirus epidemic.”

“We have managed to control the first wave of this pandemic, but it remains a temporary and sensitive result as it depends on citizens’ conduct and commitment during the next period,” Mekki said at a press conference at the government’s headquarters in the capital Tunis.

The health ministry will keep on identifying suspected cases to prevent a second wave, he added.